Gunmen launched a fierce assault on Niger’s largest airport early Thursday morning, leaving 35 dead in what marks the second major attack on the same site in under five months.
Residents near Diori Hamani International Airport in the capital, Niamey, said they had just finished morning prayers when loud explosions and heavy gunfire suddenly erupted around 5:50 a.m. The airport, which also serves as a military base, quickly became the scene of intense fighting.
By evening, officials reported that the victims included 22 attackers, 11 soldiers, and two civilians. The situation calmed down by mid-morning, after which security forces began a large-scale search for any remaining assailants.
Locals described chaotic scenes as the attackers tried to blend in with the population. Some residents grabbed machetes and sticks to help defend their area, though security personnel tried to keep civilians from getting too involved. Multiple attackers were reportedly detained during the operation.
The airport area remained locked down throughout the day, with thorough checks on vehicles coming in and out.
Niger has been battling an Islamist insurgency for years. This latest violence comes amid ongoing regional instability, with the country and its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso all under military-led governments that took power partly due to struggles against jihadist groups. The airport is a key facility in the region, tied to broader security efforts.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack.
